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The Bundesliga will resume behind closed doors on Saturday 16 May - and that means a number of Europe's brightest young talents will return to the pitch.

While Jadon Sancho and Timo Werner continue to be linked with big-money moves to Europes giants, there are many other stars in the making to keep tabs on.

A number of players who emerged in the German top-flight have gone on to become top performers in the Premier League in recent years.

Those stars include Manchester City's Leroy Sane and Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, bought from Schalke 04 and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.

And clubs are sure to be scouting these youngsters when the Bundesliga returns on BT Sport next weekend...

Arne Maier - Hertha Berlin

(Image: AFP/Getty)

The 2019/20 campaign hasn’t been easy for the young German. A knee injury sustained last April kept him out for much of the first half of the season and on his return he couldn’t force his way back into the starting XI.

Frustrated by his situation, Maier wanted to quit Herta in January. "I'm really grateful to Hertha and have many fond memories of the last 12 years here. But at the moment, leaving is simply the best solution.”

Hertha didn’t grant Maier’s request, and for good reason. When fully fit the 21-year-old is an elegant midfielder, one who can start attacks or play defence-splitting passes. He can play as a six or a ten and has also been tried out as a libero by Germany under-21 coach Stefan Kuntz.

Ozan Kabak - Schalke 04

The last two years have been something of a whirlwind for the young centre-back. He only made his senior debut in May 2018 but has since moved clubs twice and represented his country.

Schooled at Galatasaray, Kabak played just 18 times for the Turkish side before being snapped up by Stuttgart in January 2019. But his spell with the German club was even more brief, just 17 appearances.

After Stuttgart’s relegation from the Bundesliga, Schalke signed the 20-year-old for €15m. It’s proven wise business. Kabak has started 14 times under David Wager this term and has impressed.

An excellent one-vs-one defender, Kabak also has the physicality to combat the most powerful of strikers. Add in his comfort in possession and it won’t be long until Europe’s elite are interested.

Christoph Baumgartner - Hoffenheim

The first half of the Bundesliga campaign was something of a learning curve for the 20-year-old. His game time was carefully managed but there were plenty of signs of his talent.

Capable of playing across midfield or further forward, Baumgartner, who cites Kevin De Bruyne as a major influence, often got into promising positions during the Hinrunde. But he had only one goal to show for his efforts by the winter break.

“I often end up in good situations but I have to learn to stay calm and cool in front of the goal,” he told Kicker in January.

It’s safe to say he’s a quick learner. In his last seven Bundesliga appearances, Baumgartner has struck three goals and claimed a further two assists.

Moussa Diaby - Bayer Leverkusen

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

It’s not easy to stand out in the Bayer attack given it also contains Kai Havertz and Leon Bailey, yet Diaby has impressed since joining the club last summer from Paris Saint-Germain.

An exciting winger who can play off either flank, Diaby was slowly integrated into the Leverkusen side but since November has been almost ever present. And, much like Baumgartner, the French under-21 international has thrived in the second half of the campaign.

Diaby has struck four goals and claimed five assists in 2020 and was instrumental in Bayer’s defeat of Rangers in their Europa League last-16 first leg victory.

Joshua Zirkzee - Bayern Munich

The young Dutch striker’s senior debut couldn’t have gone much better. Thrown on in the dying moments against Freiburg with the score at 1-1, Zirkzee scored with his first touch to win the game for the Bavarian giants.

On his second appearance, he struck again. And as things stand, the 18-year-old has three goals and an assist from his five Bundesliga appearances.

It’s an impressive record but Zirkzee is going to have to bide his time at Bayern, especially with Robert Lewandowski enjoying one of the most prolific campaigns of his career.